- Ruto said the increase was necessitated by the need for support workers to live a decent life.
Image: PCS
President William Ruto has announced an increase of at least 6 per cent in minimum wage.
Speaking during the Labour Day celebrations at Uhuru Gardens in Nairobi, Ruto said the increase was necessitated by the need for support workers to live a decent life.
Ruto has tasked the Labour CS Florence Bore to sit with the relevant committee and ensure the minimum wage is up by at least 6 per cent.
"I want the labour CS to sit with the relevant committee. I want the minimum wage increased by at least 6 per cent. They will tell me how that will be implemented," Ruto said.
The minimum wage is the least amount of remuneration that an employer is required to pay employees for the work performed during a given period, which cannot be reduced by a collective agreement or an individual contract.
The last minimum wage increase happened in 2022 during former President Uhuru Kenyatta's last Labour Day celebrations as Head of State.
The 12 per cent increase translated to Sh1,628.64, increasing workers's minimum pay to at least Sh15,200.64, the current rate.
To ensure industrial peace and manage labour disputes, President Ruto instructed the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection to activate multiple wage councils outlined in the 2007 Labour Relations Act.
These include councils for seafarers and protective, general, and agricultural wages.
"They will negotiate minimum wages in different sectors, enhancing conciliation, mediation, and industrial peace," Ruto said.
Hed at the same time called for dialogue to iron out labour issues facing various sectors of the economy.
In an apparent address on the ongoing doctor's strike, the President said while industrial action is enshrined in the constitution, adherence of court orders is essential.
" I urge all parties involved to act in good faith and prioritize the interests of our citizens," Ruto said.
"Respect for court orders is paramount, and adherence to legal processes is essential in resolving disputes effectively."
more to follow